Passing the time at a crosswalk with a game of Street Pong

Hildesheim
-
Pedestrians won't be bored waiting for the walk signal at this traffic light in Germany. They can challenge someone on the opposite side of the street, to a game of Pong.

Two students from the University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HAWK) in the city of Hildesheim, came up with the idea to pass the time while waiting at the crosswalk. Sandro Engel and Holger Michel teamed up to create a game of "Street Pong", based on one of the very first video games, Atari's Pong, and hooked it up to the street posts. When the light is red, you can challenge someone to a quick game on the opposite side of the street.

It's billed as a concept of urban interaction but right now it's just a simulation, not a permanent installation, although it's got people talking.

One website suggests future games could be used that are more appropriate for the location, like Frogger in New Delhi, or Tetris during rush hour in Bangkok.